The 2013 version of the Toronto Blue Jays are locked and loaded, ready to take down the big boys in the AL East.

With their final spring tune-up completed Saturday against the Phillies, the Jays now set their sights on the real games, the ones that count beginning Tuesday night at Rogers Centre against the Cleveland Indians.

In keeping with the mantra that they will try to put their best team out on the field, manager John Gibbons said Saturday that left-handed hitting Adam Lind will be in a platoon situation with right-handed hitting Rajai Davis as their DH.

It’s all due to the simple fact that Lind historically has trouble against lefties while Davis has success. In his career, Lind has had 700 at-bats vs. lefties and has produced 154 hits with 24 doubles, 18 home runs, 89 RBIs, a .220 average and .607 OPS. His OPS vs. right-handers on the other hand is .836.

Davis, meanwhile, although he does not have Lind’s power, has had 686 at-bats vs. lefties and has produced a .290 average with a .349 OBP and .766 OPS. He also has tremendous speed and gives manager Gibbons a base-stealing threat.

“I told Lindy yesterday that there will be times where he’ll face some of them (left-handers) but we’re also going to use right-handers (hitters),” Gibbons said. “Rajai, you know, he hits those guys (lefties) pretty good. It makes us stronger.”

When the opposition has a left-hander starting, Gibbons will go with Davis while Lind would be in the lineup against right-handers.

“If Lindy’s in the game depending on the situation, he may face somebody (a lefty) at certain times,” Gibbons added. “Lindy’s had a good spring but the other guys, that’s kind of their specialty in a lot of ways. We’re just going to try to maximize what we have.”

One of the positive developments that Gibbons witnessed this spring was the improvement in their infield defence. At the start, second baseman Emilio Bonifacio was having all kinds of trouble on his throws but as time went on he has smoothed out those difficulties and should give the Jays someone who can make all the routine plays. When Maicer Izturis gets to play there, the defence tightens up a little more.

“We struggled a little early up the middle,” Gibbons conceded. “It looks a heck of a lot better now, Bonifacio has settled in, turned some nice double plays in the last couple of weeks. So, I feel good about it (infield defence) now. Izturis, you can play him anywhere and you don’t have to worry about that (with Jose Reyes). So, I feel good about it.

“But there’s no doubt when (Brett) Lawrie comes back we’re better. He has so much range, he’s so athletic over there.”

The most pleasing aspect of this long spring training other than their relative good health?

“I like the way we’ve swung the bat, I like the way our offence looks,” Gibby said. “We’ve got some good pitching, we’ve seen some good outings, figured some things out. Now we just hope we’re healthy in the bullpen with (Casey) Janssen. He’ll start with us and everything’s a go, but hopefully he holds up.

“Other than that there are really no surprises. We know who we are. We’re a pretty set team and I’m happy with it all I guess you could say.”

The 2013 season marks a four-year gap since Gibby was canned back in 2008. Is he the same guy or a different guy?

“I’m probably more confident because I’ve done it before,” he replied. “So, it’s been easier that way. We’ve got a better team and that makes it a heck of a lot easier.

“We’ve got veteran players, they know who they are, they know how to play the game. They’ve got track records. SO, it’s been easier from that angle.”

What about on a personal note?

“Myself, the games haven’t started but I feel very confident in what I can do. What’ll happen, only time will tell. I haven’t got in any slugging matches or anything yet so I guess that’s good.”

Gibby broke up the room with that statement and it shows that he hasn’t changed that much — if at all. He’s still laid back, easy-going, has a great sense of humour and is a good communicator. He’s a manager who will always have his players’ back and be a straight-shooter.

“We’ve got a good team,” Gibby said. “Now we’ve got to go out and win some games. The talk’s over.”

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Blue Jays ready for action

The 2013 version of the Toronto Blue Jays are locked and loaded, ready to take down the big boys in the AL East.

With their final spring tune-up completed Saturday against the Phillies, the Jays now set their sights on the real games, the ones that count beginning Tuesday night at Rogers Centre against the Cleveland Indians.

In keeping with the mantra that they will try to put their best team out on the field, manager John Gibbons said Saturday that left-handed hitting Adam Lind will be in a platoon situation with right-handed hitting Rajai Davis as their DH.

It’s all due to the simple fact that Lind historically has trouble against lefties while Davis has success. In his career, Lind has had 700 at-bats vs. lefties and has produced 154 hits with 24 doubles, 18 home runs, 89 RBIs, a .220 average and .607 OPS. His OPS vs. right-handers on the other hand is .836.